x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
How a pro qualified for the Open Championship… with just 11 clubs
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf
News

How a pro qualified for the Open Championship… with just 11 clubs

By: Zephyr Melton
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
May 30, 2021
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
juvic pagunsan holds flag

Despite carrying just 11 clubs all week, Juvic Pagunsan (left) won the Mizuno Open and punched his ticket to this summer's Open Championship.

Getty Images

Innovative bag setups are nothing new in golf, but last week on the Japan Golf Tour, Juvic Pagunsan’s look was especially unusual.

Due to Covid-19 precautions at the Mizuno Open, caddies were not allowed to carry players’ bags. So, Pagunsan took three clubs out to lighten the load as he carried for himself. The lighter setup didn’t seem to bother him too much, though. Pagunsan took the title at the Mizuno Open by three strokes, earning him his first victory on the Japan Golf Tour in his 10-year career.

“It has been 10 years,” Pagunsan said, according to the Japan Golf Tour. “It took me 10 years to win. Now I am relieved.”

Pagunsan took his 3-, 4-, 6- and 8-irons out of the bag and instead decided to carry four wedges to combat the windy conditions. He also added a 19-degree utility club to round out the set.

And the win comes with some pretty sweet perks. In addition to the ¥12,000,000 winner’s check, the 43-year-old also punches his ticket to July’s Open Championship as one of the top-two finishers at the Mizuno Open, which serves as a qualifier for the major.

Wild story on the Japan Tour
Juvic Pagunsan got his 1st career win after 10yrs on that tour
Because of covid rules, there are no caddies, and to make his bag lighter he only carried 11 clubs. ELEVEN, He took out his 3,4,6,8 irons. 43-year-old earned a spot in the Open Champ w win

— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) May 30, 2021

Although players were allowed to ride carts for the event, Pagunsan said he preferred to walk himself as driving the carts around greens bother him. The week marked the third time this season he’s carried his own bag, but the first time he’s opted for just 11 clubs.

“I am getting older, and the last two times with 14 clubs were really heavy,” he said.

Hey, it worked.

Check out the Pro Shop

Cleveland Golf CBX Full-Face Wedge

Cleveland Golf CBX Full-Face Wedge

$149.99
View Product
TaylorMade Masters Inspired SIM2 Driver

TaylorMade Masters Inspired SIM2 Driver

$629.99
View Product
Scotty Cameron Phantom X 11 Putter

Scotty Cameron Phantom X 11 Putter

$429.99
View Product

Latest In News

10 hours ago

Arkansas' Maria Jose Marin wins NCAA DI Women's Golf Championship

10 hours ago

Top-ranked amateur Luke Clanton wins Ben Hogan Award

13 hours ago

Sergio Garcia barely misses U.S. Open spot, likely snapping incredible streak

15 hours ago

It's tough to leave a major happy. Collin Morikawa explained why

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

Putting
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - JULY 17: Cameron Smith of Australia reacts on the 15th green during Day Four of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 17, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

'FIVE in a row!': Watch Cam Smith's amazing British Open birdie streak

By: Luke Kerr-Dineen
News

Why are pros shooting such low scores at the Old Course?

By: Luke Kerr-Dineen
Shoes

Why the FootJoy x Harris Tweed collection is so special

By: Emily Haas
Instruction

Tiger Woods keeps missing left. This TV commentator has a theory why.

By: Luke Kerr-Dineen
Food

'I've got a headache': Padraig Harrington reveals his 'two-pizza' recovery dinner

By: Luke Kerr-Dineen
News
Phil Mickelson of The United States looks on during a practice round prior to The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 12, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland.

Even in historic St. Andrews, LIV Golf drama raises thorny questions about golf’s future

By: Alan Bastable
News
tiger woods open practice rounds

On Sunday at St. Andrews, Tiger Woods was the best bargain in golf

By: James Colgan
Gear
Louis Oosthuizen at St. Andrews

The clubs LIV golfer Louis Oosthuizen used to win the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews

By: Ryan Barath
Gear
Tiger Woods, 2005 British Open

Tiger Woods' 2005 Open Championship winning clubs — A deep dive

By: Ryan Barath
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version